required for its purchase, this EH pedal
is solidly constructed, and the digital
sound quality is high enough that for
some applications I wished for a treble
roll-off option. The exactitude of the
echoes came in handy for other functions—rhythmic repeats and doubling,
for example. I also found that, set to a
fairly short repeat with the feedback high,
the #1 also made a serviceable spring
reverb simulator [clip 1]. The repeats did
not keep running away but did go up to
nearly infinite, allowing me to do some Street $99
Fripp-style looping [clip 2]. Electro-Harmonix
ehx.com
The joys of any Electro-Harmonix pedal
lie in its unique quirks. In the case of the

#1 Echo, this means that the shortest
delay times create a kind of comb filter
sound. This is an extreme effect, but you
can bet some inventive picker will find a
use for it.

Buy if...you need maximum digital clarity forminimum cash.

Skip if... you need more features.
Rating...
4.0

runaway feedback oscillation capability and the
ability to smoothly shift the pitch of the delay
as I turned the delay knob. This combination
created the cool Tommy Bolin/Billy Idol sound
effects in clip 2.

Don’t let its size fool you: the MDm5 will
sit sonically with many boutique pedals,
while leaving room to cram a few more on
your board.

SPANDEX/HAIRSPRAY

NOTINCLUDED!

Buy if...you want a versatile delay but are short
on pedalboard space.

Skip if... you need tap tempo and modulation.
Rating...
4.0

Electro-Harmonix #1 Echo
The #1 Echo is as basic as a delay gets:
just blend, delay time, and feedback
knobs. Despite the minimal moolah